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Treebolts revisited

That drill is drilling them out faster than the drill I've been using. Holy cow. What drill is that?

The drill that I use is a 18 volt Ryobi with Lithium-Ion batteries. It has two speeds and I use the faster one. I always have a spare battery, but with a fresh battery have no problem drilling multiple trees.

I've been through several pouches for the drill and bolts but the one that I'm using now is hands down the best.

https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com...gle_shopping&gclid=CPzw27rkv8gCFUVffgodQykI1Q
 
The drill that I use is a 18 volt Ryobi with Lithium-Ion batteries. It has two speeds and I use the faster one. I always have a spare battery, but with a fresh battery have no problem drilling multiple trees.

I've been through several pouches for the drill and bolts but the one that I'm using now is hands down the best.

https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com...gle_shopping&gclid=CPzw27rkv8gCFUVffgodQykI1Q[/QUOTE)
Thanks for that one Mr Womack I have been using an ammo belt Bandolier style. I watched one of your videos 4 or 5 years ago and that's how I found out about the drill and bolts. Very impressed with the way you do things. Thanks for sharing the knowledge.
 
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Mr. Warren,

Do you use a saddle ever to hunt? Are you still using lock on stands now? Just wondering your thoughts on saddle hunting in general, thanks!

My Kestrel saddle finally arrived on November 24. Since then I've used it for every hunt except for two. Thanks to all the input on this site it only took me a couple of hunts to have a system worked out that I'm comfortable with. I still haven't taken a shot from it with either bow or gun, but don't expect it to be a problem. I was originally concerned about back pain, but using the back strap that came with the Kestrel Kit I find it to be much more comfortable than my small 6 pound lock on stand. With that said, I'll still use my lock on stand for a platform instead of the ameristeps when I use my spurs. But instead of sitting in the stand seat I'll use the Kestrel to sit in. Basically when using the stand I'll be swapping my rock climbing harness for the saddle.
 
My Kestrel saddle finally arrived on November 24. Since then I've used it for every hunt except for two. Thanks to all the input on this site it only took me a couple of hunts to have a system worked out that I'm comfortable with. I still haven't taken a shot from it with either bow or gun, but don't expect it to be a problem. I was originally concerned about back pain, but using the back strap that came with the Kestrel Kit I find it to be much more comfortable than my small 6 pound lock on stand. With that said, I'll still use my lock on stand for a platform instead of the ameristeps when I use my spurs. But instead of sitting in the stand seat I'll use the Kestrel to sit in. Basically when using the stand I'll be swapping my rock climbing harness for the saddle.
Mr Warren I sure wouldn't try to tell you how to do anything. But I tried an XOP climber top about a year ago and haven't looked back. They might weigh three or 4 pounds and you can climb most trees without limbs and have your platform. You might already know about this but if not lightest option i've found to hut with. Teather saddle and climber seat They sell just the top about 80 bucks.
 
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Mr Warren I sure wouldn't try to tell you how to do anything. But I tried an XOP climber top about a year ago and haven't looked back. They might weigh three or 4 pounds and you can climb most trees without limbs and have your platform. You might already know about this but if not lightest option i've found to hut with. Teather saddle and climber seat.

Thank you for the suggestion. I've considered going that way and might before all is said and done. My main hold back is the size of the XOP platform. I'm thinking it might be too small for me to be comfortable taking off and putting on my spurs. Right now, no more than I'll be using spurs, my Limit stand seems to be perfect for what I need. I usually take my spurs off while standing and put them on while sitting. The Limit stand makes it possible to continue doing it the way that I have since 1973, and the Kestrel provides me with the fall proof safety that I have to have. And, at only twice the weight, as well as comfortable to carry, the Limit is hard to beat.
 
Thank you for the suggestion. I've considered going that way and might before all is said and done. My main hold back is the size of the XOP platform. I'm thinking it might be too small for me to be comfortable taking off and putting on my spurs. Right now, no more than I'll be using spurs, my Limit stand seems to be perfect for what I need. I usually take my spurs off while standing and put them on while sitting. The Limit stand makes it possible to continue doing it the way that I have since 1973, and the Kestrel provides me with the fall proof safety that I have to have. And, at only twice the weight, as well as comfortable to carry, the Limit is hard to beat.
Yes sir I understand what your saying. But the nice thing about this system you don't need your spurs. You just stand on the platform and use you saddle as a climber top and the platform as your climber bottom. Put your tether as high as you can reach use a ropeman one on tether slide it up tight and just lift you legs and slide the platform up just like a climber advance tether back up and repeat. You can climb down or rappel which I prefer. Oh ya don't forget to tie platform to carabiner on tether.
 
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I would think the tether would be harder to work with in every way, except for the drilling part. So far I've stayed on my linemans belt but I understand the awkwardness of drilling while supported by a LB. I move myself as far to the left as I can when drilling the holes on the left side but the LB is often still in the way.


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So I tried using my tether in lieu of the lineman's belt while drilling today and I will say I did not like it. The lineman's belt allows you to lean back and be Rock Solid, whereas when you're on the tether it's much easier to want to roll to either the left or right side of the tree. You feel way less balanced. I did however play with my lineman's belt position. I am not able to drill over my head so what I did was lowered my lineman's belt is low as I could on the side of the tree I was Drilling and raise it on the other side this allowed me to drill just over the lineman's belt and it did not get in the way at all.

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So I tried using my tether in lieu of the lineman's belt while drilling today and I will say I did not like it. The lineman's belt allows you to lean back and be Rock Solid, whereas when you're on the tether it's much easier to want to roll to either the left or right side of the tree. You feel way less balanced. I did however play with my lineman's belt position. I am not able to drill over my head so what I did was lowered my lineman's belt is low as I could on the side of the tree I was Drilling and raise it on the other side this allowed me to drill just over the lineman's belt and it did not get in the way at all.

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Using your hand drill?
 
Hmm. This is why there are so many styles and mods. By the time I get done drilling a tall oak tree with a linesman belt, my legs are absolutely killing me. If it is hot out (which it usually is in Texas) I am soaked in sweat too.
Hanging from the tether, I’m fine.

There’s always more than one way to skin a cat!


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Thanks Mr. Warren! I’ve read and viewed your stories on deer hunting and wish I was just a percentage of you as a hunter.
 
Thanks Mr. Warren! I’ve read and viewed your stories on deer hunting and wish I was just a percentage of you as a hunter.

Thanks, but I'm just an average hunter that's invested a lot of time and effort in hunting. During all the years I've learned to appreciate my success and accept my failures.
 
Hmm. This is why there are so many styles and mods. By the time I get done drilling a tall oak tree with a linesman belt, my legs are absolutely killing me. If it is hot out (which it usually is in Texas) I am soaked in sweat too.
Hanging from the tether, I’m fine.

There’s always more than one way to skin a cat!


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I found the biggest problem I had with this method was when I went to move my tether I felt really off balance. Where as with the lineman's belt I just lean back and I'm rock solid. When I was trying to move the tether without the lineman's belt I felt like I was falling away from the tree with nothing to support me. I gave it an honest try brother. I really thought I would like it, but just wasn't for me. I guess technically I could leave my lineman's belt hooked also and disconnect it to get it out the way each time but that just seems like it's more work than what it was worth. I do appreciate the suggestion!

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@WHW thanks for the link to that pouch. Just picked up 8 of them since they were on clearance for $4.99



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I found the biggest problem I had with this method was when I went to move my tether I felt really off balance. Where as with the lineman's belt I just lean back and I'm rock solid. When I was trying to move the tether without the lineman's belt I felt like I was falling away from the tree with nothing to support me. I gave it an honest try brother. I really thought I would like it, but just wasn't for me. I guess technically I could leave my lineman's belt hooked also and disconnect it to get it out the way each time but that just seems like it's more work than what it was worth. I do appreciate the suggestion!

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No need to remove the LB each time. Do you have a ropeman on it? Just loosening it will work to get it out of the way.


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I've thought about getting sick... *cough*cough*... So I could cancel the hunt and keep all these prizes.

Did I just say that out loud?

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
 
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